Recent revelations have surfaced regarding an alleged attempt by China to send $1 billion worth of drones to Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, disguised as COVID-19 aid. The intricate scheme involved corrupt U.N. officials who were purportedly complicit in marking the arms shipments as pandemic relief.
According to court documents, Chinese state officials were implicated in a conspiracy to conceal the $1 billion deal, which aimed to provide 42 drones to General Haftar through deceptive means. The investigation, led by Canadian authorities, uncovered intercepted communications suggesting plans to sell Libyan oil to China and procure drones between 2018 and 2021.
The report highlighted that the Chinese government allegedly endorsed a strategy to facilitate the procurement and delivery of military equipment to Libya through approved companies, aiming to obfuscate direct government involvement. This strategy was perceived as an attempt to circumvent U.N. sanctions in place at the time.
Two Libyan nationals working at the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. agency, were charged with conspiracy in connection to the scheme. While one individual has been arrested, the other remains at large. Additionally, a U.S. citizen was implicated in the accusations, although no charges have been filed against them.
The court documents also revealed communications indicating a request for a meeting between Chinese and Libyan military officials, discussing the drones' capabilities for weaponry and lethal strikes. Despite uncertainties surrounding the deal's completion, Italian authorities reported seizing Chinese military drones en route to Libya in violation of a U.N. embargo.
The investigation shed light on the intricate web of international intrigue and alleged misconduct, underscoring the complexities of arms deals and geopolitical maneuvers in conflict zones. As legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this elaborate scheme continue to reverberate across diplomatic circles and raise questions about transparency and accountability in global affairs.
